Intehwal-combustion engine



U T. NELSON.

FNTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPUCATION FILED JAN. 39! IBM.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

2 SHEETS SHEET! 1 I F L: 1:111:13 Cl P 1 i J FT l'lzU6IZ @444 fzfgr M1 04 V E/VFW/ 0. T. NELSON.

INTQEBNAL COMBUSTION ENGlNE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I9. 1937.

1,336,371. Patented Apr. 6,1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- Liven (62'. @64/1 171% UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR T. NELSON, OF CLEVELAND. OHIO. ASSIGNOR 0F FIFTY PER CENT. T0 C. A. BARNHOLTH. OF AKRON, OHIO.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A pr. ti, 1920.

Application filed January 19, 1917. Serial No. 143.227.

To (/U LU/HHH (VIN/[1!] con ern:

lie. it, known that I, ()soiu 'IQNELsoN. a citizen of the l'nited States. r-siding at Cleveland. in the county oftuyahoga and. State. of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Internal-Combustion Engines. of which the following is a full, clear. and exact description.

This invention relates to an internal conibastion engine.v The object of the invention is to provide a rotary valve in the engine head for the purpose of controlling the admission of fuel and the exhaust of burned fuel from the cylinder. and in addition to the rotary valve to provide a sul'isidiary valve which will act to seal the passages which cooperate with the rotary valve when the charge of fuel is being compressed in the cylinder.

A further object of the invention is to provide an engine with a rotary valve in which there is provision for running the engine in opposite directions, and providing a driving mechanism for the 'alve which will position itself correctly to operate the valve when the engine is driven in either direction.

Further objects will become apparent as the invention is further described.

Generally speaking. the invention may be sa d to comprise the elements and combinations thereof set forth in the accompanying claims.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings. forming a part of this specification. in which Figure l is a front elevation of an engine having my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the mezhanism outside of the engine. by which the valves are operated; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation showing a single cylinder of an engine and its cooperating structure: Fig. 4 is a section upon the line 4 4 of Fig, 3; Fig. .'i is a. top plan view of a single cylinder of an engine; and Fig. (i is a. top plan view of the rotating valve. the ports with which the valve cooperates being shown in dotted lines.

\Vhile the invention is applicable to an engine having any number of cylinders, a four-cylinder engine being shown in Fig. 1. inasmuch aS the mechanism associated with each cylinder is the same. it will sufiice to describe the mechanism for a single cylinder. and in addition to describe a n1echalllSIll. by which all the valves are operated.

Referring to Fig. 3. the cylinder of the engine is indicated at 1. the outer jacket at 2. it being understood that water or other cooling fluid may be circulated within the jacket l. Within the c linder is the piston .l. which by a piston rod 4 is connected with the crank shaft.

Above the cylinder there is provided a head 5 which is in two parts, the upper or outer partbeing indicated at 5. 'ithiu a suitable recess formed in the head 5 there is mounted a valve (3. This valve at its central portion is secured to a post or pin 7 which extends through the portion 5" to the exterior thereof. and upon the outside there is a disk 8 which is secured to the ,pin 4.

As before stated. the pin is secured to the valve (3 and extends below the same as in dicated at 7". into a suitable recess in the head 5. thus tornnng a bearing.

in the head 5 there are three openings in dicated at 10. ll. and 12. The, openings 1" and 12 are. inlet openings. that is tmsay. they are openings through which fuel is admitted to thc cylinder. while the opening ll is an exhaust opening.

When the engine is running in .a given direction the openings 10 and 1]. will cooperate. and when the engine is runningin the opposite direction the openings 11 and .22 will coiipcratc. that is to say. when the engine is running in a given direction, either the opening it] or 12. but not both. will cooperate with the outlet 11.

A manifold 13 extends by the various cylinders and cooperates with an inlet portion l-l carried b v the cylinder which we are describing. and there is also a passageway l5 formed in the head 5" which communicates with the iortion 14 so that the manifold may distri hute fuel either to the opening 10 or 12 as may be required by the dircction in which the crank shaft isturned. The exhaust opening 11 which is a complenicntary openin upon the head 5", cooperates with an ex aust pipe 16. The inner end of each of the openings 10 and 12 is provided with a slanting portion if) and 12 which form valve seats and reoeive valve heads 17 and 18. The two valves being similarly constructed and operated, the" valve 17 only will be described.

Cooperating with the valve head is a valve stem 19 which at its lower end has a plunger head 20 secured thereto. The plunger head extends within a recessed portion 2|. formed in the engine head, and the upper part of this recess receives a plug 22 which fits tightly within the recess, and the plug is provided with an opening from which extends the stem 10. Packing is provided upon the stem as indicated at 23.

The lower portion of the opening 2] communicates by means of a passageway Z-l with the space above the cylinder. Through the engine head there is an opening 25. This opening extends to and communicates with the opening 21 previously described. (looperating with this opening is a chambered member 26 in which there is a small plunger 27, the plunger having a stem 28 which extends through a head 2!) of the member 26. The head 29 is provided with a vent hole til The valve 6 is provided with an inwardly extending flange G which extends into l suitable groove provided in the head 5. this groove serving to in a measure guide the movement of the valve 6 and also to pro- 7 vide a packin The packing is an Oil pack in and for tie purpose a groove 6" is pro vided in the downturned portion 6. This groove is filled with oil by pumping the same through the opening 30 which is ordinarily closed. This oil packing not only serves to lubricate the valve (1. but forms a seal so that the gases ma y not escape around the flange 6 of the 'alve.

In the valve head 5 surrounding the va rious openings therein are iacking rings which are indicated at 31. These may also assist in the lubrication if desired. The openings in the valve head are somewhat peculiar in shape as will he noted from Fig. (i. The outer and inner nations of the openings are circular in torm. while the sides are straight. the general effect being." sonu-what that of a keystone.

The opening in the valve (3 which coiiperates with the various o icnings in the head 5. is indicated at 6. ainl. this opening is of the same general shape as the openings 1".

11, etc. The openings are given their peculiar shape so as to maintain the exhaust open as wide as possible through the range of time during which the portion 6 of the \"alv'e tl is cooperating with the exhaust. and similarly to quickly open up as large an opening as possible when the o enin s is cooperating with the inlet opening in the head. It will be seen that the opening (3" and the ownings with which it coi'ipcrates are of sum shape and size that the opening 6 begins to cooperate with .the opening 10 just as soon as it isleaving the-owning 11.

It will he understood that a the valve rotates. immediately it leave hhauexhaust opening 1], it passes into registry viith the opening 10, and during the time it is passing into and out of registry with the valve 10, the piston is descending and so draw ing in a charge of fuel. At the time that the opening (3 leaves the valve 10, the piston 3 begins to compress the charge Which has been drawn in, and continues to compress the charge that is bein drawn in until the piston 25 has reached its up )er or outermost position, at which time t e charge is exploded, driving the piston 3 in a manner well understood. During these operations the valve (i is continuously moving, and at the time the piston 3 begins to ascend on its scavenging stroke the openings 6 and 11 are beginning to register, and during thc time that the opening (5" starts to register and passes beyond its registering position the piston is on its scavenging stroke.

inning the operation just described there of course was a period when the opening G" was in registry with the opening 12, but at such time there was gas under compression in the space immediately above the cylind r 1. and this operating upon the lower face. of the valve 18, held the. valve to its seat so that the fact that the opening (1 was registering with the opening 12 was of no consequence in the operation of the engine.

During the time that gas.- either fuel nexploded gas under compression was in the space above the cylinder 1. the compressed gas not only held the valve 18 closed as just described, ait also the valve 17. These valves l7 and 18 thus prevent the e0 m pressed gas from escapin around the valve 6 as might be the. case it that valve were alone employed.

.\t the time there is compressed gas in the space above the cylinder. there is pressure not only against the end face of the valve 17 but also against the lower face of the planger 20 sothat the pressures upon both the valve head 17 and the plan er 20 are co operating to hold the valve 1 in closed position.

The space above the plunger 20 which communicates with the casing 26 is preterably filled with air which is confined when the plunger 2.0 rises. this air will be compressed in the passageways and in the casing 26. and will be held inmompressed condition while the pressure acting against the valve 17 and the lower face of the plunger 20 is sutiicient to overcome the pressure of the air within the chamber 26 and the passage 25.

'hen the piston is starting its intake stroke and the opening (r' begins its registr i from its seat and permits the gas past the valve 17.

Each disk 8 is provided with a pin 33 which is secured in a corresponding opening in a rod 3% so that all the valves'of the various cylinders are operated together. The ends of the rod 34 are connected to pins 35 and 36 which are mounted upon rings 37 that lie within cupshaped members 38. The cup-shaped members are provided with two projei ting members 3!) and 40 nd between these members there is an car 41.

hen the cup-shaped member 38 is turning in a counter-clm'kwise direction the car 41 will cooperate with the projection 39, and when the cup-shaped member 38 is turning in the opposite direction the ear 41 will.cooperate with the projection 40.

The cup-shaped member 38 is secured to a shaft 42' which cooperates with bearings 43. At the lower end of the shaft is a gear 44 which meshes with a gear 45 upon the crankshaft. Thus the shaft 42 is driven from the crank-shaft.

The arrangement for driving at the opposite end of the crank-shaft is similar to that which has just been described and as will be clearly seen from the drawings.

If the engine be driven in the opposite direction. that is to say. in a direction opposite to that which we may assume it has been going when the ear 41 is in contact with the projection 39. the first turning of the shaft 42 and the cup-shaped member 38 will not turn the valve 6 until the gear 41 is moved so as to contact with the projection 40. I'lowever, during this movement of the crank shaft the pistons will have moved. and this movement of the. pistons during the time that the valve has remained stationary will be sufficient so that the opening 6 in the valve 6 will coiiperate with the openings 12 and 11 in proper sequence and times with respect to the movement of the pistons.

It will thus be seen that the change necespassage of sar v in the positioning of the valve with re spect to the movement of the pistons is accomplished automatically by the varying movement of the. crank shalt in the opposite direction and requires no attention or setting upon the part of the operator.

Having thus described my invention. I claim: i

1. in an internal combustion engine. the combination with a cylinder and a piston therein of a head cooperating with the said cylinder, said head having an intake port and an exhaust port. said intake port being out of line with the cylimler. a rotating valve in said head said valve being provided with a. port. means for turning the valve to cooperate with said ports in the head in proper sequence. a valve mounted at one side of the cylinder, said valve coiiperating with the inlet port in the head between the cylinder and the rotating, disk, said second valve being closed by gas under pressure with the cylinder.

'2. In an internal combustion en ine, the combination with a cylinder an piston therein of a head cooperating with the cylinder, said head being provided with an inlet port and an exhaust port, a rotatable valve coiiperating with the said head, said valve being provided with a port a cover member cooperating with the head of the valve, and inclosing the rotatable valve between the said head and the cover, said cover having ports which register with the ports in the head and means for turning the said -valve.

3. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder and piston therein of a head coiiperating with the cylinder, said head being provided with an inlet port and an exhaust port, a rotatable valve cooperating with the said head, said valve being provided with a port a cover member cooperating with the head of the valve, and inclosing the rotatable valve between the said head and the cover, said cover having ports which register with the ports in the head and means for turning the said valve, a second valve which is mounted at one side of the cylinder, said second valve cooperat; ing with the inlet valve in the said head, said second valve being closed by gas under pressure within the cylinder.

4. In an internal combustion en inc, the combination with a cylinder an piston therein of a head cooperating with said cylinder, said head being provided with an annular groove adjacent its edge, said head being provided with an inlet port and an exhaust port. a rotatable valve having a flange at its outer edge which occupies the groove in the head, said rotatable valve having a port, a cover member, cotiperating with the head and inclosing the rotatable valve' its edge. a rotatable valve having a flange at its edge which occupies the last mentioned groove in the head, a cover member cooperating with the head and inclosing the rotatable valve and. means for turning the said valve.

6. in an internal combustion engine. the

combination with a cylinder and piston therein. a head for said cylinder, there being an inlet opening and an exhaust opening in the said head. of a rotary disk valve within the head, a single opening in the said valve, means for turning the valve to successively coiiperate with the openings in the head, and a second va e'bet'ween the cylinder and the first mentioned valve, said second valve being closed by gas under pressure within the cylinder.

7. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder having a piston therein, a. head for the cylinder, of a disk valve within said head, said head being provided with an inlet owning and an exit opening, the said valve icing provided with a single opening which cooperates with the said openings in the head in proper sequence, and a check valve coiiperating with the inner end of the inlet 0 ening whereby gases under compression wit in the cylinder will cause the said check valve to close.

8. In an internal combustion engine, ,the combination with a cylinder having a iston therein and a head for the cylinder, 0 a retating valve within the head of the cylinder, said head bein provided with an inlet opening and an ex aust opening and said valve being provided with a single opening which cotiperates in proper sequence with the said openings in the head, the inner end of the inlet opening in the head having a valve seat, a valve adapted to coiiperate with said seat, said valve having a stem, means for guidin the said stern, and means compresse when the valve moves to its seat under pressure, which means serves to open the valve when the said ressure is relieved.

9. In an internal com ustion engine, the combination of a cylinder having a piston therein and a valve head having a rotating valve therein, the head being provided with an inlet opening and an exit opening and the valve being provided with a single opening which cooperates with the said openings in proper sequence, the inner end of the inlet opening being provided with a valve seat, a va'lve coii crating with said seat, a valve stem carrie by the valve, a plunger at the opposite end of the valve stem, an opening in which the plunger lies, the said plunger cooperating with the side walls thereof to form a tight connection. a channel cooperating with the lower end of the opening in which the plunger is located and communicating with the space above the cylinder, and means for holding air under compres sion associated with the-opening in which the plunger is located above said plunger.

10. In an internal combustion engine. the combination of a cylinder having a piston therein and a head for the cylinder, said head being provided with two inlet ports and a single exhaust port, a rotary valve within the head having a single opening which cooperates with one of the inlet open ings and the exhaust opening when the valve is turning in one direction and coiiperates with the other of the said inlet openings and the exhaust opening when the valve is turning in the opposite direction, and means for turning the said valve, said means being driven by the engine, the connection being such that when the engine is reversed the valve assumes a new position. with respect to the operation of the cylinder.

11. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder having a piston therein and a head for the cylinder, two in let ports and an exhaust port in the cylinder head, a rotary valve within the cylinder head said valve being provided with a single opening which when the valve is turning in one direction cooperates with one of the in let openings and the exhaust opening, and

when the valve is turning in the opposite direction cooperates with the other inlet opening and the exhaust opening, and means for turning the valve, said means being connected with the engine to be driven thereby, said means including a slip connection so that when the engine is driven in the opposite direction the valve assumes a new position with respect to the operation of the cylinder.

12. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder havinga piston therein and a cylinder head, of a rotatable valve within the cylinder head, said head be ing provided with two inlet openings and an exhaust opening, said valve being provided with an opening which when turning in one direction coiipcrates with one of the inlet openings and the exhaust, and when turning in the opposite direction coiiperates with the other of the inlet openings and the exhaust, valvular means cooperating with the inner portions of the said inlet openings, said valves being moved to closed position when gas under pressure is within the cylinder thereby to seal the said openings against the escape of gas, and means for operating the first mentioned valve to coiiperate with either of the inlet ports and the exhaust port.

in testimony whcreot'. l hereunto aiiix my signature.

OSCAR 'l. NELSON. 

